Feed device



Sept. 7 1926. 1,599,215

5. c. CROOK FEED DEVICE Filed March IL 1924 2- Sheets-Sheet l 7 ZWwtoz Samuel (1 Urook,

64 KM W Patented Sept. 7, 1926;.

NEITED I 5 m.

SAMUEL c. CROOK, 0F WYo ma-r AwAaE.

Application area March 11, 1924. Serial no. 693,391.

Another object-of the .inventionis so to form and arrange the trough that most of the feed dropped by thejfowl's 1n "taking-1t from the trough will be directed back thereinto.

\Vhen considered in connection withft-he description herein, the characteristics of the invention are apparent from the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, wherein an embodiment of the invention is disclosed, for purposes of illustration.

Although the disclosures herein exemplify what now is considered to be a preferable embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that it is not the intention to be limited necessarily thereto in interpretation of the claims, as modifications-and adaptations within the limits of the claims can be made without departing from the'nature of the invention.

Like reference-characters refer to corresponding parts in the views of the drawings, of which Fig. 1 is a side elevation;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section;

Fig. 3 is aplan view of the trough;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4, Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5+5, Fig. 1.

The base of the device includes longitudinal side members 6, which are flat on top and constitute platforms for accommodation of fowls while feeding. The side members are secured to the tops of end members 7 arranged to rest on the ground or a floor. The end members in their upper portions are formed with curved seats 8 disposed between the side members. I

A body portion 9 of atrough, which is substantially U shape in cross section and preferably formed of sheet metal, rests in the seats 8 between the side members 6. The upper portions of the trough-body along each side extend inwardly and downwardlylas flanges 10, which are adapted to catch feed dropped by fowls while they are standing on the side platforms and picking it out of the trough and to return it to the trough,

and these flanges are formed with openings -11j'arranged to permit dropped feed to return therethrough to the trough.

. The trough includes end .inemb'eirs 12 curved on their under sides to conform to the transverse contourof the trough-body. The end members in their upper portions have slots or seats' 13' in which the ends of the flanges -101are disposed. The eiidniem-Q bers 12 preferably: are made of wood, and

*they; are associatedwith the trough-body by having the'flanges driven intothe seats 13. Wheirthe "trough is in position on the base, the upper edges of theend inernbers12 are ina substantially horizontal plane.

End'members I l-of ahopper "are; arranged 'to rest on the end members ofthe trough.

The body portion of the hopper is formed of sides, preferably of sheet metal- Upper portions or walls 15.01? the sides aredisposed outside of the upper portions of the end members 1 1, to whichthey are secured by fastenings 16. Lower portions or walls 17 of the sides are inclined toward each other and they constitute a substantially V-shaped.

bottom of'the hopper. The lower edges of the sides are positioned above and inside of the inner edges of the flanges 10 of the trough, and thus there is provided on each side of the trough an opening extending from end to end thereof through which fowls may have access to the feed therein.

The ends of the lower portions 17 of the sides aredisposed in slots or seats 18 in the end members 1 1. These end members preferably are made of wood, and they are as sociated with the body portion'of the hopper bybeing moved inwardly between the upper walls 15 and intoengagement of their seats 18 with'the ends of the'lower' walls 17 charge-opening 19, for which it constitutes a valve member for'controlling emission of feed therethrough. Themember 21 is triangular in cross section with its base at the bottom. It is so proportioned with respect to the opening and so mounted on the trunnions that, when the-base is substantially horizontal, its lower corners contact with the lower hopper walls and close the open-' I ing; and, When it is rocked toward either side, one corner leaves its adjacent hopper- Wall and affords an opening for discharge of feed therefrom. I

A plurality of stirrer-arms 22, disposed at intervals substantially from end to end of the shaker member, extend upwardly from the apex of that member.

A crank 23, for shaking the member 21, is associated with one of the trunnions 20, of Which it may be an integral part. The trunnions may be parts of a shaft extending through the shaker member and bent to provide the crank.

If desired, the hopper may be fitted with a removablecover 24, to protect its contents from Weather and :Eovvls. r

Preferably the crank is so related to the shaker member that, when it is in median position, the base of that member is in substantially horizontal disposition and the discharge-opening of the hopper is closed. When it is desired to discharge feed into 7 the trough, the member 21 is rocked by movement of the crank and emission of feed is permitted. During shaking of the shaker member, the stirrer-arms Will break up lumps and other adherent masses of feed in the hopper and thus insureits flow toward the discharge-opening.

Having thus described any invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a feed device, a hopper having an elongated discharge-opening in its bottom, and a rockable member triangular in cross section contactable at its base angles With opposite Walls of said hopper and arranged to open therefrom on being rocked in either direction. 7 V

2. In a feed device, a hopper having an elongated discharge-opening in its bottom, a rockable member triangular in cross section contactable at its base angles with opposite Walls of said hopper and arranged to open therefrom on being rocked in either direction, and a plurality of stirrer-arms extending upwardly from the apex of said member. q

In Witness whereof, I aflix my signature.

SAMUEL C. CROOK. V 

